The Effect of Dextran on Colonic Anastomoses During The Early Postoperative Period in Rats

Objective: Anastomotic leakage after colorectal surgery is a serious complication associated with high mortality.Dextran has been reported to reduce blood viscosity and increase microcirculation.This study was conducted to investigate whether postoperative dextran infusion contributes to anastomotic durability.Methods: A total of 40 Wistar Albino rats were used in the study.There are two experimental groups that received Dextran for 3 and 7 days after colon anastomosis and two control groups that did not receive any treatment.Anastomotic burst pressure score was calculated.Anastomosis healing parameters were evaluated histopathologically. Results:The median bursting pressure observed with the inflammatory phase experiment group was significantly higher than the inflammatory phase control group (p=0.001).Mucosal re-epithelialization was higher than the control groups in both the inflammatory phase (p=0.005) and the proliferative phase (p=0.007). Conclusion:Dextran could be considered as a potential treatment for anastomosis protection due to its positive effect on mucosal re-epithelialization and especially its increase in premature burst pressure.